Abstract

Background
Although the role of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) as a tumor marker in gastric cancer remains unanswered, several reports suggested the usefulness of serum CEA as prognostic factor or indicator of recurrence. Methods: Preoperative serum levels of CEA were determined in 79 patients with curatively resected gastric cancer and its correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics was investigated. Results: Serum CEA was positive(defined as>5ng/ml) in 16 patients(20.3%). The mean age of CEA positive group(62.9¡¾7.5 years) was significantly older than that of the negative group(53.2¡¾12.7 years)(p=0.005), and Borrmann type III cases were more frequent in CEA positive group(56.3% vs. 19.0%)(p=0.026). There were no significant differences between two groups in other clinicopathologic characteristics, including tumor size, tumor location, differentiation of tumor, and stages. Conclusion: Serum CEA does not seem to be standard. tumor marker of gastric cancer, in terms of screening or diagnosis. However, it could be useful as prognostic factor or for early detection of recurrence in curatively resected gaxtric cancer

• Keywords: Gastric cancer, Curative resection, CEA, Prognostic factor, Detection of recurrence